The document introduces Haxe, a programming language that combines features of JavaScript and Java, offering static types, type inference, and support for multiple platforms including JavaScript and Flash. It showcases Haxe's syntax and capabilities through various examples, emphasizing its flexibility and strong typing. Additionally, it highlights the Haxe community and resources available for developers, such as mailing lists and libraries.

1. Haxe: What Makes It Cool
Dev Ideas, episode 1
Brought to you by Chicken Wing Software

2. Hello, my name is...
Eddie Sullivan
Founder, Chicken Wing Software
www.chickenwingsw.com
www.devideas.com
See also: UX Ideas

3. Haxe
≈
JavaScript
+ static types
+ Java-style classes
+
type inference
+ algebraic types
www.haxe.org
Compiles to JavaScript, Flash, NekoVM, PHP, C++
Standard library
+ platform libs
+ RPC

4. Haxe is like JavaScript
(really ActionScript)
Similar syntax and keywords (like function)
Entire DOM-tree available
Flash API available (no timeline)
Can compile to .js file
Can compile to .swf file
Closures
Regular expressions

5. DOM example
Example:
// Change an HTML element to a random color.
static function changeToRandomColor(id)
{
var el = Lib.document.getElementById(id);
var color = '#' + StringTools.hex(Std.random(0x1000000), 6);
el.style.backgroundColor = color;
}

6. Haxe is like... Java
Example:
import js.Lib;
import StringTools;
class HaxeExample {
// Required "main" function - called at startup.
static function main() { }
// Change an HTML element to a random color.
static function changeToRandomColor(id)
{
var el = Lib.document.getElementById(id);
var color = '#' + StringTools.hex(Std.random(0x1000000), 6);
el.style.backgroundColor = color;
}
}

7. Similarities to Java
Java-style classes & inheritance
Statically & strongly typed
Single inheritance & interfaces
Can compile to NekoVM, PHP, or C++

8. Some familiar keywords
if/else do/while
true/false new
var this
try/catch finally
return switch*
enum* for*
* Different behavior

9. Haxe is like... ML
Type inference
Types with less typing
var x = "hello"; // x is a String
var y:String; // y is also a String
x = 3; // ERROR!
Algebraic types (With enum and switch)

10. Haxe's enums
Defining the enum:
enum Command {
sit;
speak(word:String);
move(x:Int, y:Int);
}
// ... inside a function
var cmd = Command.speak("Arf!");

11. Haxe's switch
Using the enum:
// ... inside a function:
switch (cmd) {
case sit:
this.sitting = true;
case speak(text):
trace(text);
case move(x, y):
this.location = new Point(x, y);
}

12. Haxe's for
More like "foreach" in C#
// ... inside a function:
var names = ['Ed', 'Fred', 'Ned', 'Ted'];
// Could have written:
// var names:Array<String> = ...
for(name in names) {
trace("Hello " + name);
}

13. Other features
Local functions/closures
Type parameters (generics)
Exceptions
Dynamic & untyped values
"Batteries Included"
Remoting
XML parsing/validation
Sandboxing
...and much more!

14. Flash example (part 1)
import flash.display.Sprite;
import caurina.transitions.Tweener;
class Happy extends Sprite
{
public function new(size:Float = 50)
{
super();
graphics.lineStyle(1.0, 0x000000);
graphics.beginFill(0xffff00);
graphics.drawCircle(0, 0, size);
graphics.endFill();
graphics.moveTo(size * 0.3, size * 0.3);
graphics.curveTo(0, size * 0.75, -size * 0.3, size * 0.3);
graphics.drawCircle(-size * 0.225, -size * 0.3, size * 0.1);
graphics.drawCircle(size * 0.225, -size * 0.3, size * 0.1);
}
// class continues on next slide...

15. Flash example (part 2)
// ... continued from last slide
public function start()
{
var that = this;
Tweener.addTween(this, { rotation:360, time:2,
transition:"linear",
onComplete: start } );
Tweener.addTween(this, { scaleX:.75, scaleY:.75, time:1 });
Tweener.addTween(this, { scaleX:1, scaleY:1, time:1,
delay:1 } );
}
public function stop()
{
Tweener.removeTweens(this);
}
} // End of class Happy

16. Flash example (part 3)
import flash.external.ExternalInterface;
import flash.Lib;
class Main
{
static var happy = new Happy(25.0);
static function main()
{
happy.x = 50;
happy.y = 50;
Lib.current.addChild(happy);
ExternalInterface.addCallback("startHappy", happy.start);
ExternalInterface.addCallback("stopHappy", happy.stop);
happy.start();
}
}

17. Flash example (part 4)
What it looks like:
Stop - Start

18. The Haxe Community
Mailing list
Forum
Wiki
Libraries / haxelib (lib.haxe.org)
FlashDevelop
More...

19. Thank you!
Chicken Wing Software - chickenwingsw.com
Dev Ideas - devideas.com
Follow me on Twitter: @eddieSullivan
Sign up for the newsletter to hear what's coming next
UX Ideas - uxideas.com